Elevator safety structure

Abstract

Disclosed is a safety structure provided on an elevator car for the passengers to escape from the elevator car in case of an emergency that causes the elevator car to stop halfway between two floors. Besides, the safety structure can prevent maintenance technicians or objects from falling down through open entrance door to the base ground of the elevator tunnel when the elevator car is lifted halfway between two floors. The safety structure comprises a plurality of sidepieces secured to the bottom of the car and a series of rungs set between the sidepieces. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of sidepieces comprises a first segment and a second segment retractable into the first segment. In still another embodiment, each of the plurality of sidepieces comprises a chain of segments each linked to with a pivot such that the safety structure is collapsible. Besides, the bottom of each of the sidepieces of the aforementioned last two embodiments is provided with an elastic pad for cushioning against impact.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A safety structure for use in an elevator system using a car to transport passengers which allows passengers to escape from said car during an emergency, said safety structure comprising: a plurality of sidepieces secured to a bottom of said car; and   a series of rungs engaged between said sidepieces, wherein each of said sidepieces include: a first segment having a guide groove defined therein, said guide groove having a stopper provided at a bottom end thereof, and   a second segment having a guide rail, said guide rail having two protrusions provided on both sides of a top end thereof, said guide rail slidably engaging said guide groove of said first segment such that said second segment is retractable with respect to said first segments said second segment being prevented from detaching from said first segment by means of said stopper and said protrusion when said safety structure is extended.     
     
     
       2. A safety structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom of each of the sidepieces is provided with an elastic pad for cushioning against impact. 
     
     
       3. A safety structure for use in an elevator system using a car to transport passengers which allows passengers to escape from said car during an emergency, said safety structure comprising: a plurality of sidepieces secured to a bottom, of said car; and   a series of rungs engaged between said sidepieces,   wherein, each of said plurality of sidepieces include a chain of segments, each segment being pivotally linked with a sucessive link such that said safety structure is collapsible.   
     
     
       4. A safety structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bottom of each of the sidepieces is provided with an elastic pad for cushioning against impact.